Meet the Guides

Working side by side for a combined 90 years of professional whitewater guiding, our entire river careers have been with Zoller’s Outdoor Odysseys. We’ve watched each other’s children grow up, then become guides along side of us, and even marry each other. We constantly challenge ourselves and each other to be great historians, naturalists, culinary magicians, and gracious hosts. Each and every one of us exceeds all state or federal training and safety regulation.

More than just a cohesive fun loving team, we are a family of river guides. Welcome to our family!

	Mark Zoller: It's been over 30 years since my father, Phil (Snake River Guide in the 70s) took me for my first Hell's Canyon adventure. Much has changed in three decades. The river clothing has become high tech, the cooking gear sophisticated and versatile, the beds soft, the rafts sporty, and I've grown facial hair. What remains the same is the unspoiled beauty of the deepest gorge in North America and the way a single visit can imprint a memory of a life time. Dad proved to me long ago that it's never to late or early to make a life memory. Memories are priceless... lets make some together.
	Marq Box: Being the Sr. (oldest) member of the river team and a life long adventurer (even climbed Mt. McKinley) I appreciate a great wilderness experience, with all the extra little luxuries such as thick sleeping pads, comfy chairs, deluxe dinners and ice cold fruit smoothies. There are a lot of customers who are just like me... ready for some fun in the wilderness, with a little bit of luxury. Come take it easy with me!
	Russ Cole: Hell's Canyon has it all for me. Great whitewater, beautiful weather, amazing history & geology, and a chance to hover over a set of dutch ovens (editor's note: Russ is a championship dutch oven artist and would not brag on his own, so I'll do the bragging for him). For 20 plus years I've been learning about and exploring the mysteries of Hell's Canyon's geology, native lore, and pioneer history and have found that there is always more to explore. Guess I'll have to give it another 20 years of exploring!
	Joetta Cole: Every trip down the Snake River I'm in total awe of the variety of wildlife & wildflowers and how they all change throughout the seasons, yet remain consistent in making Hell's Canyon a unique environment. I don't think there has ever been a customer that did not share the sense of awe for Hell's Canyon that I have, but maybe none understood it more than "Grandma Francis" during the summer of 2006. While in Hell's Canyon, she taught us all that there should never be an end to your life's adventure, and that time with family is a precious commodity. Time is the canyon is not just about the environment, it's about those you share the adventure with.
	Mark Lesage: Raised as a New Yorker, traveled the world in a sail boat, and feel most at home in the wilderness. I've seen a lot of great things around the globe and had many adventures. At the top of the list is the anticipation of unsure expectations as I guide our customers through big rapids like Wild Sheep, explore Hell's Canyon for signs of past civilizations as if on a giant treasure hunt, or hike a ridge line where few humans have ever been. Perhaps I've even set foot where no man has before. Yes, I am a New York boy called to the wilderness of Hell's Canyon, a place of life changing experiences.
	Zach Zoller: Just prior to my fourth birthday, dad (Mark Zoller) took me for my first whitewater trip on the White Salmon River in Washington. Mid-ways through the trip dad dumped almost everyone out of the raft in a rapid called stair-step creating my first ever whitewater swim (dad always trained us early in life). The amazing thing was not that I thought going for the swim was so cool, but that dad and I kept it a secret from mom for almost 10 years. During the summer of 2006 I became the youngest licensed class IV river guide in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Often, I get asked if I'm the heir apparent to the family business. Nah, dad sent me away to Hawaii to get my bachelor's in cinematography so I can direct and produce movies. Watch out George Lucas!